Spinning Employment Data Is No Substitute for Policies to Create New Jobs

AmericanEconomicAlert.org ^ | Wednesday, March 17, 2004 | William R. Hawkins

[rj45mis]

"The problem, my friend, is that the Bush Boyzzz have NO CLUE what's wrong. We think we know...

I'm ready and willing to learn something. What are you proposing we do?

[ex-snook]

"Me thinks you're a fair weather repub, eh? "

Well actually I'm a Conservative.

[ninenot]

1) Establish a Coupon System for trade. Country A buys $2Bn worth of US goods, and gets a $2Bn coupon--with which they can SELL $2bn worth of their goods here. No tickee, no sellee. Even up, no 'currency adjustments.' That's at least the Temporary solution.

2) Rewrite the Code to pitch everytning except the Consumption Tax (referenced above and on other threads-see www.fairtax.org.) This will enable C-corps (and maybe S-corps) to reduce their prices by about 15-20%, making US-made goods far more interesting than foreign-made goods.

Consumption taxes will have a negative impact on consumption, of course--but if the (lesser) consumption is concentrated on US-made goods, it's likely at least an offset.

Further, consumption tax affords a larger pool of dollars for investment purposes (it's an incentive to save.) This could in the medium-term relieve the SocSec crisis which will begin in 2025, AS WELL AS the Medicare crisis which will begin even sooner.

3) Make the SocSec system partially voluntary, as GWB has been yapping about for 5 years, with no legislation to show for it. Even if only 1/3 of the current tax, this ALONE will almost obviate the SocSec problem before it occurs--further, it will allow survivors to HAVE the money.

[RipSawyer]

"So, it's the government's responsibility to create jobs?"
Sadly, the government creates all too many jobs but we allow every imbecile to vote and many of them believe that somehow it is the responsibiility of the President to create private sector jobs. Inbeciles wil vote according to this prejudice with no regard to reality which is something beyond their scope.

[ninenot]

If you take a real close look at all the "jobs created" that some are yapping about on this thread, you will find that a LARGE percentage of them are Gummint jobs.

Not what ANYBODY wants--but those who think FR posters are all stupid CBSCNNNBCABC viewers don't think we can find the BEA on the Internet, either...

[RipSawyer]

"Maybe so, but at least it would get the illegals out of here. The rest we can deal with later."

Works for me, forget about people who turn down $15 because they used to make $23, in time they will come around, I work a whole quarter now to earn the amount I used to routinely carry on my hip in hundred dollar bills and that is no B.S., it is the truth. I now do what I have to do and others will too.

[FITZ]

of finding gainful employment than any bum

But wouldn't a bum be considered self-employed if he has a "will work for money" sign next to his money cup? Sounds like some kind of independent contractor job.

[FITZ]

So, it's the government's responsibility to create jobs?

Apparently it did create those 21,000 new February jops that turned out to be jobs in government. It seems that unemployment statistics are very easy to manipulate --- maybe a better indicator of how people are doing as far as jobs is to check government social spending. If people are receiving food stamps, government housing, Medicaid, WIC, SSDI, TANF, NAFTA-TAA, TAA and any other government money then they are not doing well --- when the economy is good we should be able to see serious cutting of the handout programs.

[FITZ]

forget about people who turn down $15 because they used to make $23

I hope they think again about turning down $15 an hour --- look at the requirements on this job: bilingual fluency in English and Japanese --- 4 year degree in Computer Science or Engineering or applied math, 2 years experience, and take a guess what the salary range is:

REQUIREMENTS
, Excel, MS Cert Access XP Spec, MS Cert Word 2000 Spec, ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. " Performs systems analyses and systems design based on consultation with Sumitomo management and customer base to enhance overall company performance. " Devise methods and designs systems for meeting user needs. " Develops flowcharts, diagrams and programming documentation, considering various factors such as computer storage capacity, speed, extent of equipment and intended use of output data. " Analyzes test data and modifies programs accordingly in order to continually improve systems. Assess the particular problems and needs of users of our systems. " Develops programs for customer and management reports using MS-Access, Excel, Crystal Reporting and other computer applications; performs download/import functional requirements for system information and management report requirements. " Conducts studies, analyzes test data and debugs new and modified computer programs and applications to ensure accuracy of new and modified computer programs and applications. " Sets up new computers and systems; installs or assists internal customer base and/or vendor service personnel in the installation of hardware and peripheral components and software, such as monitors, keyboards, printers, and disk drives on user's premises, following design or installation specifications (includes Japanese PC software); troubleshoots problems; resolves operating issues. " Documents all new and modified programs. " Educates users on operating equipment, software and manuals. " Serves as liaison regarding computer system analyses, development, issue resolution support for the Japanese speaking and English-speaking employees at affiliate companies. " Fulfills requests for IT support; serves as "help desk" contact for English and Japanese customer-base PC's and PC applications. " Answers customer inquires covering systems operation; diagnoses system hardware, software and operator problems, and recommends or performs minor remedial actions to correct problems based on knowledge of system operation. " Supports issue identification and resolution of EDI problems, as required, in areas such as correcting network connector set-ups. " Attends technical conferences and seminars or utilizes computer-based technology (CBT) educational materials to keep abreast of new software and hardware product developments. " Provides IT support for e-mail, internet and other software network connections and settings. " Assists customer-base in the updating and management of achieved data (such as purchase orders, sales prices, etc.). " Assists management with other IT-related jobs and administrative jobs, such as: invoicing clients, receiving invoices, jobs related to contracts/licensures and other required company functions. " Translation work, as necessary. " Performs other duties, as required

[jwalsh07]

Hey Willie, if unemployment hits 4%, are you going to jump?

[RipSawyer]

In this area that job is probably paying nor more than $15. an hour, it may be advertised with an annual salary figure but it probably equates to nor more than $15.oo per hour. So what is the figure?

[RipSawyer]

"If you take a real close look at all the "jobs created" that some are yapping about on this thread, you will find that a LARGE percentage of them are Gummint jobs."
In my opinion, a government job should be considered as several people unemployed rather than one person employed, most of them do things that are counterproductive and serve to hold down living standards.

[Doohickey]

Sooooo...to paraphrase "I'm forced to concede the point, but we have to vote the party line anyway."

[FITZ]

$9.50 - $11.00/Hour. I would have thought that even with the economy the way it is that someone with a 4 year degree in Computer Science or Engineering plus fluency in a foreign language could pull in a little more than that. A garment worker who had to know nothing more than sewing waistbands onto jeans was making $8.00 to 10.00 an hour back in the 80s. Still not tons of money but enough that they could support a family without a whole lot of government handouts.

[FITZ]

http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/jobs/jobdetails.aspx?jrdid=&dv=dv&strCrit=QID%3dA3847719727122%3bst%3dA%3buse%3dALL%3bTID%3d55577%3bBID%3dC6OB%3bCTY%3dEL+PASO%3bSID%3dTX%3bCID%3dUS%3bENR%3dYES%3bDTP%3dALL%3bYDI%3dYES%3bIND%3dALL%3bPDQ%3dAll%3bJN%3dAll%3bPAYL%3d0%3bPAYH%3dGT120%3bPOY%3dNO%3bETD%3dJTFT%3bETD%3dJTPT%3bETD%3dJTCT%3bETD%3dJTIN%3bRE%3dALL%3bMGT%3dDC%3bSUP%3dDC%3bFRE%3d30%3bCHL%3dAL%3bQS%3djobresults.aspx%3bSS%3dNO%3bTITL%3d0%3bRAD%3d30%3bJQT%3dBID&lpage=23&jobcount=551&sfascc=&CiBookMark=2&Job_DID=JZ4MC680Q55CVZLH8Y&sname=&lr=cbga_elp

For all those who'd like to apply.

[opus86]

when the economy is good we should be able to see serious cutting of the handout programs.

I'd like to think that, but I'm not so sure!

[rj45mis]

"Sooooo...to paraphrase "I'm forced to concede the point, but we have to vote the party line anyway."

Concede which point? You vote your conscience and I'll vote mine. We'll then be left to live with that decision. If you're dissatisfied with the jobs situation in America and this is the most important issue for you and you believe John Kerry will do a better job with this issue, then please vote for John Kerry. Just don't come back bitching and moaning when he fails to live up to his promises and your expectations.

[FITZ]

I don't see how government handouts are going to end --- like with the job I posted above --- it requires a 4 year engineering degree plus experience --- a family with kids would qualify for several government programs if the wage earner took this job.

[ninenot]

What you have observed in that advertisement (and its accompanying compensation range) is called "UpSpec'ing."

This is the technique whereby the Company advertises a job, knowing that NO American will fill it. Similarly, one could specify 15+ years' experience, or require an MS, or three languages. Makes no difference--just create specs which are usually attached to an American making $50-$70K. Oh!! No American applicants who "qualify" and who will work for 30% of their normal income??? So Sorry.

Then they contract the job out to Universal Indian Computer Consultant Company who brings in an H1B or L1 to do the job.

[XBob]

14 - Good job. Keep up the good work.

Question - Given that 80%+ of the startup businesses fail, and lose money, are those,who are layed off and start a new business which loses what is left of their savings, employed.

It seems like paying to work your butt off and lose your money is not 'employment', but 'investment' and in fact, such 'investment' expenses are deductible (if you have any 'employment' income to deduct it from).

So, is an attempt at 'selt employment' really employment?